Hi,

I got a beautiful 88 Fleetwood Brougham in very good condition (virtually no rust, all electrics (windows, AC, etc.) still working fine.
I am planning to drive cross-country with this vehicle and I don't know much about cars (can't fix anything myself).
Do you guys have any suggestions what I should get checked before I leave? The only probs I have with that car: the engine seems weak and rattles/knocks, especially uphill (is this normal?), and it consumes lots of oil (2 quarts per gas filling), the check-engine light sometimes flashes when drifting downhill.

Thanks,
Flix

PS: I just used it for a 2000 miles trip without any problems (except the oil consumption).

Essentially check everything that is checkable. If you want, carry a spare battery with you (or similar charging devices), and a full sized spare.

Oil, transmission fluid sounds like it could be checked. If you just purchased it then do change or check routine parts.

I'd give every belt and hose a good look. The fan clutch and water pump shaft for looseness, and get a flashlight and look over every inch of the radiator. An amperage and diode test to the alternator would be a very good idea. Look over the 500 miles of vacuum hose and replace as needed. A peek under the dist. cap for sure. I'd change the fuel filter and bring a spare. If you're burning oil, change the plugs too. I've been seeing cheap PCV valves cause oil consmption lately, get an A/C and change that too.